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PBA champion TNT may have spoiled RJ Abarrientos’ 31-point explosion, but the Ginebra rookie sensation thinks his efforts didn’t entirely go to waste
MANILA, Philippines – After a sorry showing in the first five games of the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup finals, RJ Abarrientos finally came out firing for Barangay Ginebra.
Averaging just 5.2 points in the first five contests, the rookie sensation exploded for a career-high 31 points on 11-of-17 shooting in a must-win Game 6 on Friday, November 8.
However, Ginebra fell short against defending champion TNT Tropang Giga, 95-85, to claim the best-of-seven series at 4-2 in front of a packed Araneta Coliseum.
Abarrientos, however, doesn’t see his huge effort going to waste.
“This game is more on learnings, not losing, so I will put this in my pocket, and on my bag, and work on whatever my shortcomings would be,” Abarrientos told reporters after the game.
“And for me, I see the effort, the trust given to me by the coaches and my teammates — and that boosts my confidence,” he added.
“That’s what makes me inspired to continue what I do.”
After a scoreless first quarter, Abarrientos came alive and swung momentum to the Gin Kings’ side, knocking down a whopping 18 points on a 6-for-8 clip in the second period, where they turned a 21-31 deficit to a 43-42 halftime lead.
In the second half, Ginebra looked poised to force a Game 7 with Abarrientos burying more key baskets to help prop them up at 85-83.
But TNT proved steadier at crunch time, closing the game with a 12-0 run en route to the franchise’s 10th PBA crown.
“I am hoping to learn a lot from this game, and I take it seriously. I give credit to Talk ’N Text, they deserve this championship,” said the spitfire guard.
“I left it all on the floor, win or lose. As what June Mar (Fajardo) said, there will be winners and losers. That’s what basketball is, and that’s what we aim to learn.” – Rappler.com
